It’s a rare honour with only 12 recipients a year statewide, but Glen Innes’s own Jan Sharman OAM has been made a life member of the United Hospital Auxiliaries of NSW.
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Jan said she felt a little numbed by the honour, and of being the first in Glen Innes to be awarded a UHA life membership. Centenarian and fellow auxiliary stalwart Nancy Berridge was among the first to hear the news, encouraging Jan to travel to Sydney to be acknowledged in person, which she did.
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Jan was officially presented with her life membership by Linda Hurley, patron of UHA NSW and wife of NSW Governor David Hurley. In fact Jan said it’s the first time she has made it to Sydney for the UHA conference as she’s usually busy with the church fete at that time of year.
“I don’t feel I deserve it, but it’s a great honour,” she said in her humble way.
“Once again I have to thank the people of Glen Innes who have helped me to receive it. I’ve travelled a great journey with them, through work, fundraising and care.”
After having recently handed over the reins of the Glen Innes Hospital Auxiliary after more than 16 years as president (and decades more as a member), Jan was nominated by her fellow members. She has also been named a patron of the branch.
The nomination heralded Jan as being ‘extremely active’ in all areas of fundraising and her exceptional organisational skills. It said she leads by example, encourages involvement and acknowledges others, while actively mentoring new and existing members.
“(Jan) has become the face of the auxiliary and is known as a positive mover-and-shaker within the community,” the nomination said.
“She continually promotes the ideals of the auxiliary and the benefits to the health service to the community at any opportunity that arises, as well as to members of parliament, local council, newspaper and radio.”
Branch members added their comment: “A more worthy recipient we have yet to meet.”
State MP Adam Marshall is more-than-familiar with Jan’s lobbying for the hospital’s benefit and was among the first to congratulate her, standing up in Parliament to do so on record.
“I recognise and congratulate one of the Northern Tablelands' most passionate and dedicated octogenarians, Mrs Jan Sharman, OAM, of Glen Innes,” he said.
“Jan has had a longstanding involvement with the Glen Innes community over many decades, first coming to Glen Innes some 60 years ago for what she thought would be only a year to work as a nurse in the Glen Innes district hospital, moving on to having decades of involvement in the hospital auxiliary at Glen Innes, from which she stepped down as president last year and has now taken on the role of patron.
“I cannot think of someone more deserving of that (UHA life membership) honour than Jan Sharman, OAM. Well done.”
